MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.73%, snapping five successive sessions of decline, but still traded only a little above year-to-date lows touched in July. S&P 500 futures rose 0.08%, and in early European trades, the pan-region Euro Stoxx 50 futures gained 0.23% and FTSE futures were up 0.42%. The New Zealand dollar fell to a nine-month low of $0.6868 after the decision although it soon recovered, climbing back to $0.6933, as investors absorbed projections showing policymakers still expect to raise rates over coming months. Oil edged up in Asian hours after falling for four sessions on worries about the rise in coronavirus cases. The yield on benchmark 10-year Treasury notes rose to 1.2767% compared to its U.S. close of 1.258% on Tuesday.

Source: The Star August 18, 2021 06:45 UTC